After learning about Fletcher
Cleaves’ story a few weeks back my interest relating to spinal cord injury has
gained a lot of momentum. Out of all of the neurological disorders that we
discussed in this course, spinal cord injury left me with a certain type of emotional
feeling (I can’t really describe it) that will strengthen my relationships with
clients. For my last neuro note (kind of
a bitter sweet feeling), I decided to complete it on an individual who also sustained
a spinal cord injury. I wanted to gain an insight of what someone else felt
after their injury. The article I was read was on Alexandria “Alix” Reeves and her
life after this traumatic event.
In the article I’m still myself, Alix speaks on her life prior and after her
spinal cord injury. Prior to Alix’s injury she was an assistant manger at
Charlotte Russ where she would often catch shoplifters, and she was also interested
in taking classes at Columbus State. However, the night of May 27, 2010, that
all changed. Alix was involved in the crossfire of a gunfight while giving her
friend a ride. The bullets ripped through the car she was driving, entered her
neck, and shattered parts of her spinal cord. This changed her life forever. However,
throughout the article Alix expressed, “I’m still alive and still have the same
mentality and personality that I had before. I’m still myself.” Alix realized that life was completely
different now, but she did not let that get her down. She continued to participate
in meaningful activities to make the most of her life. Alix expressed how in
the past she wasn’t always confident and nervous all of the time, but now she
has a new sense of self-assurance.
As a future occupational therapist,
this article allowed me to gain knowledge about how a client might feel after
an SCI. I know that every situation will be differently, but I enjoyed reading
how resilient Alix became after the injury. Things that she once didn’t think
about, gangs or turf wars, became of interest to her. In addition, I learned
that as an OT practitioner it is important to listen to the client and be there
for support. The “little” things that we may do for a client could have a lasting
impact. Alix shared how excited she was to get black coffee once a week from a
friend!
Overall this was a good article to read! I recommend this
article to all health care professionals, anyone who sustained a SCI, and their
family members/friends. In additional, I recommend this article to everyone!
Everyone should learn to still see a person who might be in a wheelchair as
normal despite their current condition. Since we already discussed SCI earlier
in the semester, to further my knowledge, I reviewed previous notes. I also
looked into research about gunshot wounds and SCI.
Oliphint, J. (2016). People: Alix Reese: I’m still myself. Columbus Alive. Retrieved from http://www.columbusalive.com/content/stories/2016/05/26/people-alix-reese-im-still-myself.html
